Alrosa is using advanced mapping technology to take the guesswork out of the risky, high-stakes business of rough-diamond buying. During its October 2019 trading period, the Russian diamond mining company tested Digital Tenders, a program that provided buyers with a three-dimensional scan and detailed analysis of each rough diamond.

The technology behind Digital Tenders is Sarine’s Galaxy inclusion mapping and DiaExpert planning. The scan of the rough diamond represents its detailed external shape, internal inclusions and anticipated color and fluorescence. What’s more, the mapping system can evaluate the optimum size and shape of the resulting polished diamond.

“Digital Tenders for rough diamonds allow us to improve our customers’ experience by reducing the risk associated with their purchasing decisions,” said Evgeny Agureev, Deputy CEO of Alrosa. “This ensures their long-term sustainable profitability as well as streamlines manufacturing processes after procurement of the stones.”

Agureev added that Digital Tenders gives his company the ability to show products to a large variety of clients within a short timeframe.

“This is a very good example where digital technology enables the parties to end up in a win-win situation,” he said.

Before the introduction of Digital Tenders, rough diamond buyers were required to visit a designated Alrosa office, where the variety of goods could be examined by only a limited number of experts. According to Alrosa, Digital Tenders allow the procurement experts to share the scan with their full planning team, including the cutters at their polishing factory.

Though this is still a pilot project, Alrosa reports that the sales results from October reflect its clients interest in the new offering.

“The diamond industry is evolving,” said David Block, CEO of Sarine Technologie, “and rough diamond buyers are seeking ever more information in order to ensure decisions that are the most effective.”